Stand Together Against Non-Disclosure (STAND) Act
Signed into Law in California
The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that the Stand Together Against Non-Disclosure (STAND) Act has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.
Authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) and co-sponsored by CWLC and the Consumer Attorneys of California, SB 820 bans confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements in cases of sex discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault unless such a provision is specifically requested by the plaintiff. This bill places the power to decide the level of confidentiality into the hands of the victim and ensures perpetrators will be held accountable.
Read Senator Leyva’s press release on the passage of SB 820 here.
On behalf of victims of sex discrimination and sexual assault in California, CWLC applauds Senator Leyva for bringing this important bill forward.
Other 2018 Legislative Victories for Women and Girls in California
Two other impactful bills signed into law by Governor Brown strengthen protections for sexual harassment and assault victims. Senate Bill 224 (Jackson) amends the protections against sexual harassment in the Unruh Civil Rights Act by expanding the list of examples of relationships that are covered by the act — to include investors, producers and elected officials. Senate Bill 1300 (Jackson) makes it illegal for an employer to require an employee to sign a release of a claim or rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in exchange for a bonus or as a condition of continued employment.
CWLC is proud of our state for working to protect and empower women and girls in California.
We are disappointed, however, to report that several key bills further advancing the rights of women and girls were vetoed by Governor Brown: SB 320 (Leyva) would have secured students’ access to reproductive health services at public universities by providing medication abortion at student health centers and AB 1870 (Reyes, Friedmand and Waldron) would have extended the time limit for filing harassment and discrimination claims under FEHA. AB 3080 (Gonzalez Fletcher) and AB 3081 (Gonzalez Fletcher and Bonta) would have ensured that workers are not forced to waive their right to make harassment or discrimination claims against their employer as a condition of employment.
We celebrate these victories and remain committed to fighting for full equality for women and girls in California.
To see the status of all of the bills CWLC supported this legislative session, please visit our website by clicking here.